Suncheon Songgwangsa Sacheonwangmun Gate, Treasure Designation Announced

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 16th the preliminary designation of "Suncheon Songgwangsa Sacheonwangmun" as a Treasure.

"Suncheon Songgwangsa Sacheonwangmun" is a Dapo-style gable-roofed building with three bays in the front and three bays on the side. It was built in a natural-friendly location, forming a beautiful landscape centered around Sinpyeongcheon, which flows around the temple, along with Uhwaru above the Hongyegyo Bridge.

[Photo provided by Suncheon City]

Although the exact record of the original construction is unknown, it was confirmed to have been reconstructed in 1612 through the Sacheonwangmun reconstruction ridge beam inscription and the ridge beam manuscript found during the dismantling and repair of Sacheonwangmun in 2004. It is a building that escaped disaster during the great fire of Songgwangsa in 1951, so its construction date is clear, embodying historical significance.

Inside Sacheonwangmun, octagonal cross-sectioned simgoju (internal pillars) were erected to structurally reinforce the main beam and to separate the domain of the Sacheonwang statues, reflecting regional characteristics to reveal ornamental formality, thereby being highly recognized for its artistic and academic value.

Additionally, it has well maintained its location and form since the reconstruction, and it carries on the lineage of the spread of Sacheonwangmun architecture related to Buddhist monks Buhyuseonsa and Byeokam Gakseong, giving it deep significance.

A city official stated, "In 2006, the Songgwangsa wooden Sacheonwang statues in Suncheon were designated as Treasures, and now with the designation of Sacheonwangmun, the gate housing these wooden Sacheonwang statues, as a Treasure, it has become known as a cultural city that continues the tradition of Buddhist culture."

Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Administration plans to collect opinions for 30 days on the eight temple cultural properties, including Suncheon Songgwangsa Sacheonwangmun, announced this time, and after the review process by the Cultural Heritage Committee, designate them as national cultural heritage Treasures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.